Stretching frame



Aug. 28, 1956 P. T. GABLE ET AL 2,760,299

STRETCHING FRAME Filed Feb. 19. 1954 P T0 MTS s d Q, Ja'lfslyele.

ATT R N EYs United States Patent STRETCHING FRAME Paul T. Gable and John W. Gable, Lemoyne, Pa.; said Iohn'W. Gable assigner to Paul T. Gable Application February 19, 1954, Serial No. 411,485

1 Claim. (Cl. 45-24) This invention relates to artists or painters equipment, and more particularly to a paper stretching frame.

The object of the invention is to provide a paper stretching frame which Will stretch out Water color paper in order to better prepare it for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water color paper stretcher which will stretch out the paper in an even and uniform manner and wherein the paper can be readily installed and quickly removed when desired, the stretcher of the present invention preventing damage to the paper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a paper stretcher which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a bottom plan View of the paper stretching frame, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the frame showing the parts disassembled.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view with the parts assembled, and with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral designates an outer frame of rectangular shape, and the frame 10 includes spaced parallel side bars 11 and spaced parallel end pieces 12. The inner corners of the frame 10 are recessed or cutout as at 14 to provide space for receiving portions of the paper 15 being stretched, and the paper 15 may be water color paper to be used by artists, painters and the like. The meeting ends of the bars 11 and pieces 12 may be beveled and may be secured together in any suitable manner, as for example by means of adhes1ve.

There is further provided an inner frame 16 of rectangular shape, and the frame 16 includes spaced parallel side members 17 and spaced parallel end members 18. The meeting or abutting ends of the members 17 and 18 are beveled and secured together in any suitable manner as for example by adhesive. All of the inner surfaces of the side bars 11 and end pieces 12 are beveled or inclined as at 19, and all of the outer surfaces of the inner frame 16 are beveled or inclined as at 20. These inclined surfaces 19 and 20 coact to permit the inner frame 16 to be fitted snugly within the outer frame 10 so that the inner frame 16 can only be pushed into the outer frame 10 from one side thereof. This construction also prevents the inner frame 16 from passing or moving all the way through the outer frame 10. The outer corners of the inner frame 16 are rounded as at 21 to prevent tearing of the paper 15.

A clamping means is provided for maintaining the frames together, and this clamping means comprises securing elements 22 which extend through the side bars 11. Each of the securing elements 22 has a head 23 on one end thereof. An adjustable wing nut 24 is arranged in threaded engagement with each securing element or bolt 22, and a washer 25 is arranged contiguous to each Wing nut 24. Pivotally mounted on each securing element 22 is a clamp 26, and each clamp 26 includes a cutout 27 that defines a pressure linger 28 which exerts sufficient pressure on the paper 15 when the nuts 24 are tightened.

In using the device of the present invention the inner frame 16 is removed from the outer frame 10 and then the sheet of paper 15 to be stretched is placed over the inner frame 16 as shown in Figure 2. Then, the frame 16 is moved into the frame 10 whereby the outer edges of the paper 15 Will be securely clamped between the inclined surfaces of the inner and outer frames. The inclined surfaces also insure that the inner frame 16 can only move a predetermined distance into the outer frame, and after the parts are assembled the clamps 26 are swung or pivoted about the pins 22 to the position shown in Figures 1 and 4. The pressure ngers 2S thus engage the side members 17 of the inner frame 16 to maintain the inner and outer frames in their proper assembled position. The rounded corners 21 on the inner frame 16 prevent the paper 15 from being torn by any sharp corners and the recesses 14 provide sufficient clearance or space for the folded corners of the paper.

With the present invention uniform tension will be maintained on the paper and the paper will be automatically stretched Without the aid of tools or the like. When the frames are to be disassembled, the clamps 26 can be pivoted from the position shown in Figure l to a position at right angles whereby the inner frame 16 can be removed from the outer frame 10. In actual practice certain end portions of the water color paper 15 may protrude or extend beyond the ends of the frames. The present invention stretches the paper out perfectly even and when the paper is dry it will be under the proper tension. The paper 15 may be initially soaked in water for about ten minutes and then placed over the narrow side of the inner frame 16. Then, the outer frame 10 can be slipped over the paper and over the inner frame and the inner frame is pushed into the outer frame until the paper is firmly held in place. Then the wing nuts 24 are tightened and this operation can be accomplished very quickly and easily. By mopping the paper with a sponge, the drying will be hastened so that it can be more quickly prepared for drawing. The frames and also the clamps 26 can be made of any suitable material such as California redwood or clear white pine. maple wood.

We claim:

A paper stretching assembly comprising an outer rectangular frame including a pair of spaced parallel side bars, a pair of spaced parallel end pieces extending between said side bars and secured thereto, the inner surfaces of said side bars and pieces being inclined, the inner corners of said frame being recessed, an inner frame positioned within said outer frame and including a pair of spaced parallel side members and a pair of spaced parallel end members, said inner and outer frames being arranged in nesting relation with respect to each other, the side and end members of said inner frame being inclined for coaction with the inclined surfaces of said outer frame to grip and hold paper therebetween, the outside corners of said inner frame being rounded to prevent tearing of the paper, securing elements extending through said side bars, each of said securing elements having a head on one end thereof, a clamp pivotally mounted on each securing element and including a cutout defining a pressure clamping Or, the clamps 26 can be made of nger, said cutout being on the side of the clamp which faces the frames resulting in an increase of pressure at the outer end of the clamp and the outer end of the clamp bearing againstV the inner frame, said nger extending transversely with respectfto the longitudinal axis of .said clamp, said yclamp overlying the,` inner frame when it is nested within the outer frame, said inner and outer frames Y References Cited in theule of this patent y and said clamps being made of wood, the meeting ends of said bars and end pieces of said outer frame being beveled and beingsecured together, the meeting ends of the side and end members being beveled and secured together.

UNITED STATES lPATENTS Anng Oct. 7, 1890 Lambert Sept. 6, 1910 Foedish Mar. 14, 1911 Kline -'SepL 30, 1913 Pizzonia- -la; May 16, 1950 vFOREIGN `PATENTS i Great Britain a Feb. 1.9, 1920 France July 7, 1920 

